Problem is, the thing isn't done yet. That may be good enough for some people, but not for me. I insist upon instant gratification.

Even if it's just virtual.

So, I logged back in to Second Life for the first time in months (which is years in online time).

There, you can get a virtual feel for what the arena is going to be like. Here are some pics for the SL-challenged:

Here's a wide shot of the exterior of the arena.This is the "interior" of the Sprint Center, the main arena.This is the main lobby. You can get a free virtual T-shirt at the kiosk on the right to give Sprint some free virtual advertising.This is the virtual sales chick. Kind of a two dimensional personality.This is a secondary lobby between the main lobby and the arena. I guess you can watch free Spanish rock videos on that TV in the corner.tagged:Sprint, Sprint Center, arena, Kansas City, downtown, Second Life, virtual, advertising, marketing

Why is Yazmar screaming about how nice the center will be. It'll be brand new. So, yeah...duh!

I really, really hope they find a good team to house in that thing. But I'm looking forward to the P&L District, too, so maybe I'm a freak of nature when it comes to all things downtown development, eh?

I guess it's kind of fashionable to be bearish on downtown development, P&L and Sprint Center in particular.

But I'm with you. I'm not as pessimistic as most people say they are.

The way I see it, KCMO did nothing downtown for years and it became a ghost town. So I have no problem with investing in a rejuvenation project. Of course, I'm from Johnson County, so what the hell do I know.